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    Homemade Microwave Popcorn

    Snacks Dairy-Free Recipes Gluten Free Homemade Staples August 21, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 48 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Enjoy homemade microwave popcorn with just a few easy steps! Using one of two simple methods, you can enjoy perfectly popped, fluffy, popcorn at home whenever the craving strikes.

    Enjoy homemade microwave popcorn with just a few easy steps! Using one of two simple methods, you can enjoy perfectly popped, fluffy, popcorn at home whenever the craving strikes.

    Homemade Microwave Popcorn in black bowl.


    Whether craving a savory, salty snack or gearing up for a movie night at home, homemade popcorn is one of my go-to healthy snacks.

    Why You Will Love Homemade Microwave Popcorn

    • Quality Control. Store-bought packets of microwave popcorn are often high in sodium and fat and sometimes have questionable added ingredients. But this recipe for homemade microwave popcorn is made with just popcorn kernels, salt, and a tiny bit of oil. Nothing questionable here!
    • Ridiculously Easy to Make. While making homemade popcorn on the stove is fairly simple, using the microwave to make freshly popped popcorn is even easier. And faster!
    • Cheap. Homemade Microwave Popcorn is a fraction of the price of store-bought microwave popcorn. 
    • Healthy Snack. Popcorn itself is actually quite good for you. It is a whole grain, loaded with fiber, and low in calories, yet it satisfies the craving for a salty snack.

    What You Need to Make Microwave Popcorn

    Ingredients for making microwave popcorn at home on counter. Heat safe bowl, brown lunch bags, popcorn salt, cooking spray, oil, and popcorn kernels.
    • Popcorn Kernels: Use yellow or white popcorn kernels to make popcorn. I will say in all of my recipe experiments, Orville Redenbacher's brand of popcorn kernels pop better than generic and have been well worth the extra cost. 
    • Oil/Cooking Spray: To help season the popcorn and help the salt adhere to the popcorn, you want to spray the popcorn kernels with an avocado oil cooking spray or drizzle them lightly with olive oil, avocado oil, melted coconut oil, or canola oil. If you are looking to enjoy buttered popcorn, add melted butter to the popcorn after it has popped. The butter tends to burn in the microwave before the kernels can fully pop. 
    • Salt: If you intend to enjoy homemade popcorn often, I recommend keeping popcorn salt on hand. Popcorn salt has finer grains, so it sticks to the nooks and crannies of the popcorn itself better than table salt. By all means, use table salt (iodized) salt if that is what you have on hand.
    • Seasonings: There are endless options for seasoning homemade microwave popcorn. You can keep it classic and drizzle with melted butter or flavor with the seasoning blends I share below. Personally, a bit of salt is all I find homemade microwave popcorn to need.
    • Equipment: To make popcorn in the microwave, you need to use either a covered heat-safe bowl or brown paper lunch bags.
      • Mircrowave-Safe Bowl: For the bowl, you can opt to use a silicone or glass bowl designed for making popcorn in the microwave. If you don't have either of those bowls, use a heat-safe 7-cup bowl and a heat-safe plate that is large enough to cover your bowl. Just be sure they are heat-safe to ensure the bowl and/or plate don't crack from the heat in the microwave.
      • Brown Paper Bag: Disposable brown lunch bags make the perfect vessel for popping popcorn in the microwave. Do not try to reuse the paper bag unless you opted to NOT add oil.

    Seasoning Options for Homemade Popcorn

    The options for flavoring microwave popcorn are endless. Follow the recipe as written, then if desired, add additional seasonings using one of the suggestions below.

    • Movie Theather Style: Drizzle the popped popcorn with 2-4 tablespoons of melted butter.
    • Italian-Seasoned Popcorn: Sprinkle the microwave-popped popcorn with ½ teaspoon of Italian Seasoning and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese.
    • Sweet & Savory: Add dark chocolate chips and peanuts to the salted popcorn.
    • Cheesy Popcorn: Omit the added salt and toss the popcorn with 1 tablespoon of macaroni and cheese seasoning or ¼ cup of freshly grated cheddar cheese.
    • Cinnamon Sugar: Combine 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the popcorn.
    • Ranch-Flavored Popcorn: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Ranch Seasoning over the popped popcorn.

    How to Make Homemade Popcorn in a Microwave

    You can opt to use a large microwave-safe bowl or a brown paper lunch bag to make homemade microwave popcorn.

    Method 1: Making Microwave Popcorn Using a Paper Bag

    Making homemade microwave popcorn using a brown paper lunch bag is a simple, mess-free way to enjoy homemade popcorn.

    • Place up to ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels into the brown paper bag. Spray with cooking spray or drizzle the kernels with oil and add in the salt.
    • Fold the top of the bag over twice to "seal" and shake to coat the kernels evenly in the salt and oil.
    • Place the bag on its side and microwave for 2-5 minutes. I suggest setting the cooking time to 6 minutes. Once the popcorn begins to pop, listen closely and stop the cooking time when 2 to 3 seconds go by without hearing kernels popping.
    • Remove the popcorn bag carefully from the microwave and carefully open it, keeping in mind that steam will escape the bag when opened.
    Brown bag folded over with popcorn kernels inside and oil to the side.

    Method 2: Making Microwave Popcorn Using a Bowl

    If you don't have brown lunch bags on hand or want to cut back on waste, use a large heat-safe bowl with a lid. While you can purchase a bowl designed for popping popcorn in the microwave, you can also use a heat-safe bowl fitted with a plate as a lid. Just keep in mind that the bowl MUST be heat-safe, otherwise it can crack and it will be very hot when removing it from the microwave.

    • Pour up to ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels into a large heat-safe bowl or bowl designed for popping popcorn in the microwave. Spray with cooking spray or drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Stir to evenly coat the popcorn kernels with the salt and oil.
    • Cover the bowl with a large heat-safe plate or the lid that came with the microwave popcorn bowl.
    • Place the bowl into the microwave and set the cooking time for 6 minutes. Once the popcorn begins to pop, listen closely and stop the cooking time when 2 to 3 seconds go by without hearing kernels popping. You will likely not need more than 4 minutes of cooking time.
    • Use pot holders to carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and then use caution to remove the lid or plate from the bowl.
    popcorn kernels in glass bowl with plate on top ready for microwave.

    ∗ important tips to remember ∗

    • Use caution! Use oven mitts to remove your bowl or bag from the microwave. And keep in mind that steam will be released from either the bag or bowl when opened.
    • Don't try popping more than ⅓ cup of kernels at a time, as this can result in an excess of unpopped kernels.
    • DO NOT USE PYREX BOWLS! They can not stand the heat!
    • Use oil. While you technically don't need to add oil or spray the kernels with a cooking spray, I highly recommend doing so. A small amount of oil will help to flavor the popcorn and help the salt adhere to the popcorn.
    • I have found it is best to season with salt before microwaving the popcorn. However, it is best to add alternative or additional seasonings AFTER microwaving the popcorn, as things like ranch seasoning or parmesan cheese can burn when microwaved.
    • Listen carefully when popping. Once the popcorn kernels begin to pop, keep a close eye (or ear) on the microwave. Stop the cooking time when 2 to 3 seconds go by without hearing kernels popping.
    • Timing is based on the wattage of your microwave. The time it takes your popcorn to pop will be dependent on how powerful your microwave is. I find most microwaves need between 2-4 minutes to pop ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels in the microwave.
    • Not all kernels will pop. That's okay. Simply discard those kernels. Don't try to continue cooking to get them to pop, as that will cause the popcorn to burn.

    How to Serve Homemade Popcorn

    Homemade Popcorn is best enjoyed immediately after preparing in the microwave when it is warm, fluffy, and crisp. If you do happen to have leftover microwave popcorn, let it cool to room temperature and then store it in an airtight container for up to 24 hours at room temperature. While safe to enjoy well past 24 hours, I find that the popcorn will begin to taste stale and past that point.

    More Easy Homemade Snacks

    • Corn Salsa
    • Homemade Chip Dip
    • Homemade Cheese Crackers
    • Easy Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
    • No-Bake Granola Bars

    If you enjoyed making microwave popcorn at home, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Homemade Microwave Popcorn in black bowl.

    Homemade Microwave Popcorn

    Using one of two simple methods, you can enjoy perfectly popped, fluffy, popcorn at home whenever the craving strikes.
    4.75 from 56 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 7 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 60kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup popcorn kernels white or yellow
    • ½ teaspoon oil olive oil, avocado oil, melted coconut oil, or canola oil (or avocado cooking spray)
    • ½-1 teaspoon popcorn salt or regular table salt
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    Using a Bowl

    • Add popcorn kernels to the bowl. Spray or drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt, and stir to evenly coat the kernels with the salt and oil. Cover the bowl with a heat-safe plate or the lid provided with the microwave popcorn bowl.
    • Place the bowl into the microwave and set the cooking time for 6 minutes. Once the popcorn begins to pop, listen closely and stop the cooking time when 2 to 3 seconds go by without hearing kernels popping. You will likely not need more than 4 minutes of cooking time.
    • Use pot holders to carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and then use caution to remove the lid or plate from the bowl.
    • Season with additional seasonings and/or melted butter if desired and enjoy immediately.

    Using a Brown Bag

    • Place ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels into the brown paper bag. Spray with cooking spray or drizzle the kernels with oil and add in the salt.
    • Fold the top of the bag over twice to "seal" and shake to coat the kernels evenly in the salt and oil.
    • Place the bag on its side and microwave for 2-5 minutes. I suggest setting the cooking time to 6 minutes. Once the popcorn begins to pop, listen closely and stop the cooking time when 2 to 3 seconds go by without hearing kernels popping.
    • Remove the popcorn bag carefully from the microwave and carefully open it, keeping in mind that steam will escape the bag when opened.
    • Season with additional seasonings and/or melted butter if desired and enjoy immediately.

    Equipment Needed

    • Silicone Popcorn Bowl
    • Glass Popcorn Bowl
    • Brown Lunch Bags

    Notes

    Amount or Kernels: Don't try popping more than ⅓ cup of kernels at a time, as this can result in an excess of unpopped kernels.
    Listen carefully when popping. Once the popcorn kernels begin to pop, keep a close eye (or ear) on the microwave. Stop the cooking time when 2 to 3 seconds go by without hearing kernels popping.
    Timing is based on the wattage of your microwave. The time it takes your popcorn to pop will be dependent on how powerful your microwave is. I find most microwaves need between 2-4 minutes to pop ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels in the microwave.
    Not all kernels will pop. That's okay. Simply discard those kernels. Don't try to continue cooking to get them to pop, as that will cause the popcorn to burn.
    Storage: Let leftover popcorn cool to room temperature and then store it in an airtight container for up to 24 hours at room temperature. While safe to enjoy well past 24 hours, I find that the popcorn will begin to taste stale and past that point. It is honestly best enjoyed immediately after preparation. 
    DO NOT USE PYREX BOWLS! They can not stand the heat!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fiber: 1g
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    « The Best Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Ina

      January 29, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      this is a great suggestion, thank you! I am using for very many years an old air popper, which produces delicious and perfect popcorn, but I always think it would be nice to reduce the amount of small appliances in my tiny kitchen/storage room. THIS is it! Using a 2.5 qt Pyrex bowl with a heavy white dinner plate on top, filling in 1/4 cup of kernels - well...that's just enough for greedy ME, lol. My first try was 6 minutes on highest settings (900W), and after 5-5 1/2 minutes the bowl was filled and it almost completely had stopped popping. No burnt kernels, only maybe 1/2 tlblspoon kernels were not popped. Then put a sprinkle of oil, some salt, and Nutritional Yeast, mix. Thank you again. WARNING, though! The bowl was INCREDIBLY hot, either put it onto a folded towel, or fill it into another bowl. Nevertheless, I enjoyed having the warm bowl resting in my lap on a cold winter evening. (:

      Reply
    2. Vira

      January 24, 2021 at 8:43 pm

      5 stars
      This worked very well for me! My only minor complaint is that around 1/3 of the kernels didn't pop. But the kernels that popped were delicious, and they were completely popped.

      Reply
    3. Carole LLOYD

      January 08, 2021 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      My air popper of 40 years gave out today and I needed an easy way to make my popcorn. I used my grandmother's round pyrex bowl (most likely from the 1950s) 1/4 cup of corn and a microwave-safe dinner plate. Started with 2 min and then checked. Took out the popped kernels and then put the bowl of unpopped kernels back in. I did this 2 more times. I was afraid the already popped corn would burn. Now that I know the capacity of the bowl I will try to do it all at once. Thank you so much.

      Reply
      • Alice

        February 08, 2021 at 11:24 am

        5 stars
        Thank you for this easy adjustment to that popcorn cooking method.

        Reply
    4. Joe

      November 29, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      It cracked my bowl ,which was Pyrex 4 qt bowl..
      I set it for 4mins.. and it Brock at the 3 min. mark anyone else have this problem....

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 04, 2020 at 6:39 pm

        Hi Joe! So sorry you had this issue. Pyrex has recently changed their bowls and some are not able to withstand high heat.

        Reply
      • Nat Howley

        January 08, 2021 at 5:56 pm

        Same! My bowl was glass but not Pyrex. It cracked around the 4 minute mark, when most of the kernels were not popped. Anyone tried with Corning Ware casserole?

        Reply
      • Linda Schultz

        March 25, 2021 at 4:31 pm

        4 stars
        Popcorn was good but my bowl broke also.

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          March 26, 2021 at 7:09 am

          Hi Linda! I am sorry that happened. Can you tell me the type/brand of bowl it was so I can make a note for others.

          Reply
    5. Abi

      October 24, 2020 at 9:01 am

      5 stars
      Good

      Reply
    6. Sky

      September 26, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      This method worked wonderfully! I will be using this again. Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Fe

      September 22, 2020 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic way of making popcorn. I’m so glad I found your webpage. Thank you.
      I don’t have a fancy microwave bowl for popcorn and usually we buy our popcorn in bags. However, went on vacation and came home and with these Amish bags of popcorn. Didn’t have a way to cook even on the stovetop because it’s glass. Been looking for a convenient way and yours was a home run! Hit it out of the park!!!
      Thank you so much 😊

      Reply
    8. Barbara

      August 11, 2020 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      I use this method all the time. I think it's important to double check that you are using a microwave-safe bowl and plate. Also, don't put any oil in the bowl before heating. This is the healthiest way to make popcorn, and you don't need an air popper.

      Reply
    9. Elle

      July 04, 2020 at 11:32 pm

      1 star
      I did this with the “heat proof” bowl which shattered in the microwave.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 05, 2020 at 7:10 am

        I am so sorry that happened Elle. I have never had this issue myself.

        Reply
        • Sandra Turk

          November 22, 2020 at 10:41 pm

          5 stars
          I really love popcorn and had been buying it popped and packaged at the drug store. It was either too salty or not any salt. Plus the price wasn't budget friendly. I'd heard about microwave popcorn but never tried it. I bought some small brown paper bag s and tried it. Used a half cup of corn.

          Reply
        • Robin

          January 28, 2021 at 7:47 pm

          I used a brown paper lunch bag instead of a glass bowl. Folded the top over twice and it worked like a charm! (microwaved for 2 1/2 min.) I don't have a glass bowl and really wanted popcorn!

          Reply
    10. Rebecca

      May 05, 2020 at 2:01 am

      3 stars
      Hi. I found your recipe while searching for a way to microwave popcorn without a paper bag. I used a ceramic bowl with a plate on top. I also stretched a small towel over the top of the bowl, underneath the plate, to absorb some of the steam. I used a package of Bob's Red Mill popcorn kernels that I bough just about a month and a half ago and has made other popcorn on the stove without any problems. I started with just 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels. I poured in a little olive oil and rolled the kernels around. After nearly 10 minutes, I had only heard 1 or 2 kernels pop at a time, I never got that big explosion of popping you usually hear. I took it out to look at it because some of those kernels had popped 5 minutes ago and I was afraid they were going to burn. Only about half of the kernels had popped. Those that did pop were fluffy and delicious. I took out the popcorn that had popped and put the second half of the kernels back in the microwave. I let it go for a few more minutes. Again, there was no big explosion of popping, just 1 or 2 at a time. When I took it out of the microwave again, the popcorn that had popped was quite well done - still edible and not quite burnt, but less fluffy and a bit overcooked compared to how the first half had come out. There were still some unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bowl. I don't know what I did wrong because aside from putting the towel over the plate to absorb the steam, and using fewer kernels, I followed the recipe. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 05, 2020 at 8:01 am

        Hi Rebecca! I am sorry you had issues. Adding a towel would interfere with how the heat conducts, so that may have been part of the issue. The other two issues would be rolling the kernesl in oil first and taking out the popcorn and putting back in the microwave, which always slows down the cooking process. Homemade microwave popcorn is much slower than bagged popcorn when popping, so patience is needed. And the oil can interfere with the popping as well--it is best to season after popping.

        Reply
      • Craig Matheson

        January 03, 2021 at 9:56 pm

        I'm wondering if "Tupperware" bowls with a loose fitting lid? Also, freezing the popcorn first increases the yield of popped kernels.

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          January 04, 2021 at 7:56 am

          I don't recommend microwaving plastic myself. But thank you for the tip about the popped kernels.

          Reply
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    Enjoy homemade microwave popcorn with just a few easy steps! Using one of two simple methods, you can enjoy perfectly popped, fluffy, popcorn at home whenever the craving strikes.

    Meet Kristen

    Kristen Chidsey with apron on in front of vegetables in kitchen.

    Hi! I'm Kristen. It is my honor and passion to share easy, wholesome recipes with you to in turn share your loved ones. These tried and true recipes will help you make delicious, family-friendly meals without stress! Read more

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    Enjoy homemade microwave popcorn with just a few easy steps! Using one of two simple methods, you can enjoy perfectly popped, fluffy, popcorn at home whenever the craving strikes.

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